Heart of the Billionaire Read online

  “Please delete the picture,” James said nicely. “And I’ll pay you as soon as I get back to my seat.”

  “Oh, girl, please!” a man said. “I’m framing this baby!”

  Please tell me he didn’t just say that!

  I tried to step in. “How about you delete that pic, and we take another one? One where we’re both dressed properly.”

  “Where did their clothes go?” a woman asked, searching frantically.

  Another woman approached. “Sorry, but your clothes are gone.” She pulled some purple, satin, baggy, long pants caught in at the ankle, and threw them to James. “Will these work?”

  “If I was playing the lead role as Aladdin,” James teased. “Maybe.”

  “Unless you want to leave in a dress.”

  “No, not really.”

  I laughed. I never thought I’d see the day where James would wear Harem pants. But there he was slipping them on. The woman then threw me a genie costume, a turquoise belly top with sheer cap sleeves and satin pants with a headpiece.

  “My turn to laugh at you, love,” James said.

  I stared at the shiny, glittery material. “I’m not wearing this! Who comes to the opera wearing a fancy gown and leaves in genie outfits?”

  “Obviously us.”

  “No way.”

  James squeezed my hand. “Oh, come on, Jasmine. I think you’ll look pretty damn cute. Bewitching, if I do say so myself.”

  “I’m not doing the headpiece!”

  “Listen. I know a back way out of here. Nobody will see us. But we can’t leave naked. Because that will draw attention.”

  “And sneaking out of here like Aladdin and Jasmine won’t.” I looked at the brunette. “Can you find me another dress, please?”

  A stick-thin ran toward us. “Paparazzi is coming!”

  “Shit,” I said.

  “No time!” James said.

  Hiding behind the clothes, I had no choice but to quickly slip into the costume. A few of the actors swore to hold off the oncoming swarm of photographers.

  A young man with bright blue eyes hungrily stared at me as I came out. “Whoa! You look just like her! Man, you make a convincing Princess Jasmine. Can I make a wish?”

  “Do I look like a genie? Find a lamp, and then we’ll talk,” I said.

  He stared me up and down. “I have a confession.”

  “I’m not dressed up as a priest, am I?” I joked.

  He laughed. “It’s just... Well, I’ve always fantasied about being with a Disney princess. So um, how about you, do you have any wishes? Like dumping your billionaire boyfriend and running off with me?”

  “I wish I could have my clothes back,” I retorted.

  “I wish you had a belly button ring!”

  “Seriously? You’re staring at my midriff. Why didn’t they just bring me a Cinderella gown? Although, I’m not the traditional-poufy-princess-dress-kind-of-girl.”

  “The man does have a point,” James said. “Belly rings are very sexy.”

  I playfully slugged him. “Focus, street rat boy! Or I’ll sic my pet tiger after you.”

  “You’re so funny. That’s what they called Aladdin. And what was Jasmine’s tiger named?”

  “Rajah.”

  “Don’t think my mischievous pet monkey, Abu, can’t take on your tiger. And I only know the name because Arabella made me watch the movie at least a hundred times.”

  I glanced around. “Listen, we have to figure out an escape plan.”

  “Yes, your majesty.”

  “So what’s our plan? Aladdin is supposed to be the quick-witted and street smart one.”

  “I knew you fell in love with me for my street-smart charms.”

  “You know it, babe.”

  “You gotta go!” someone shouted. “Our plan isn’t working. And you can’t get caught back here. Or the tabloids will sling a tornado of mud at you!” She pointed to the bathroom. “Hurry! Go out the window! It’s the only way!”

  I shook her hand. “Thank you for helping us.”

  “Anytime.”

  The entire situation was too ridiculous for words, and for the first time, I wondered if Nick and Abby had even tried to look for us.

  “What now?” I whispered.

  We certainly weren’t in any state to make a proper escape. James’s jacket and pants were gone, and he was only wearing his half-unbuttoned shirt and those purple, genie pants. Not only that, but I was dressed as an Arabian princess. Damn, if only I had that wish making, magical lamp!

  As if reading my thoughts, he caught a stray lock and twirled it playfully between his fingers. “Don’t worry. We’ll get through this. Trust me, I’ve been through much worse,” he whispered.

  “I guess this is what I get for dating a bad boy,” I smiled.

  “But you love every minute of it.”

  In a flurry of motion, James pushed the window open, and we tumbled out onto the fire escape in a heap, laughing and gasping and gripping one another.

  When a neon flash exploded around us, only one thought occurred to me: Shit! This doesn’t look stable. This doesn’t look stable at all.

  “Quick! Can you call your flying rug?” I joked.

  “C’mon, royal highness!” He grabbed my hand and we started climbing down the stairs.

  “I always love a good adventure,” James said. “Especially with a pretty princess.”

  “Yep. It’s all about adventure and harem pants.” I laughed. “You and your adventure. Too bad the cast didn’t give you an Indiana Jones Hat and a bullwhip!”

  He shot me a flirty look. “Are you feeling a little erotic, darling? Tell ya what. I’ll wear the hat. No whip. But I’ll consider handcuffs.”

  “You know what? This princess is headstrong, sassy, fierce, hot-tempered, and bad ass just like Jasmine. If I get you in handcuffs... I’ll definitely make you pay!”

  He laughed. “With the costume on or off. Either way, I think I’m getting turned on.”

  “C’mon, babe. Hurry up! I just want to get out of this get up.”

  “I’d love to see you get out of that get up. Although, you do look pretty hot.”

  “Is that your wish?”

  He shot me a seductive look. “Yes.”

  I smiled. “Wish granted. The second we get home.”

  He stopped for a moment, pulled me close, and stared deeply into my eyes as he cupped my face. “See? Who say wishes don’t come true?”

  “I love you, James,” I said.

  “I love you too.”

  He softly kissed my lips as my heart raced. It’s like we had this moment and I didn’t want to let go. But I knew we needed to hide fast, before we were discovered leaving the opera in Disney costumes.

  “C’mon,” he said, having a hard time breaking my gaze. “We have to go, but if I had it my way, I would love to kiss you all over, from head to toe.”

  I smirked. “It’s the crop top, isn’t it? Or maybe it’s the harem pants.”

  “You ditched the headpiece. But you should’ve at least worn the jeweled headband.”

  “I’m not a mere prize to be won,” I joked.

  “You’re not only beautiful, but you’re super smart, talented, and highly intelligent...and clearly the best Disney princess ever.”

  “You are way too sweet. You know what? With you by my side, I think it’s a whole new world.”

  “Bringing the song into the banter, I see? Well, I feel like I’m soaring, tumbling, freewheeling through an endless diamond sky with you.”

  I jumped down from the final step and smiled. “Don’t you dare close your eyes.”

  Chapter 12

  NICK AND ABBY MET US outside. Doubling over, they burst out in laughter as we told them what happened.

  “It’s not funny!” James said.

  “I didn’t know this was a Halloween ball,” Nick said.

  Abby wiped a tear from her eye. “If James stripped off his shirt, he could totally pass for Aladdin. I love matching couple
outfits.”

  “Can we please go?” James asked.

  “Just call for your flying rug.”

  I laughed. “Funny, guys.”

  We finally drove home, and James and I quickly changed. It felt so good to get out of that itchy material. I knew Nick and Abby were leaving. They had already said goodbye to me. Just as I was ready to come out and seduce my man, I heard voices. I wondered who was here this late. I slipped on a casual shirt and some jeans, and went out to investigate.

  “Have you lost your fucking mind?!” David Camper asked, opening fire. “I know I’ve asked you that often over the years, but really, James! Have you actually lost it this time?”

  Nick and Abby took one look at the enraged man before mumbling something about having to check on Arabella and going to bed. They clapped James sympathetically on the shoulder as they walked by, but otherwise kept their eyes on the ground.

  I tried very hard to follow them, to just blend into the crowd, but I didn’t even make it into my second step before Camper turned his rage on me.

  “Miss Jones, or should I call you Jasmine, where do you think you’re going? Given that you’re actually a paid employee of Cross Enterprises, you’re lucky I haven’t sacked you on the spot!”

  James bowed his head respectfully, but his voice was firm. “David, you have to know I will never allow that, so—”

  “That isn’t up to you, James!” Camper fired back. “As much as you’d like to think otherwise, you have no say in this company...yet.”

  With a look of utter exasperation, he threw his hands up and stormed to the dining room table, where he obviously expected us to join him. It was rather chilling to see my unshakable supervisor lose control, and the fact that he was at James’s house in person was a very bad sign. They didn’t have that sort of relationship that allowed for casual house calls, but they also didn’t have the kind of relationship in which Camper would develop a sudden case of Tourette’s, a fact that had obviously slipped the red-faced man’s mind.

  “Are you two coming or what?” he asked, all attempts at professionalism gone.

  James sighed quietly and threw me a quick look before he gestured to the kitchen.

  Ladies first? Gee, how noble.

  By the time he invaded our awkwardly silent staring contest a few moments later, Camper still hadn’t taken a chill pill. “You said you wanted this.” His nostrils flared as he glared daggers across the table, completely unable to rein in his frustration. “Did I misunderstand that somehow?”

  “No,” James replied softly, keeping his eyes fixed on the table. “David, I’m sorry. Tonight was actually supposed to be a step in the right direction, a chance to show the upper echelons of London high society that I’ve changed, that I’m mature and respectable, able to maintain a steady relationship. It’s just... Well, I admit that things got a little out of hand.”

  After another uneasy pause, David pushed back in his chair. “Out of hand?” he parroted, laying down his ipad down on the table between us. “You call this a little out of hand?!”

  My heart stopped, and my skin ran cold as I stared down at the picture. I really couldn’t believe my eyes. How is it possible that it was published so fast? I guess the pic went straight to the online gossip rags.

  James seemed just as shocked as I was as he read the headline aloud: “Caught Red-Handed! London Playboy Heats up the Opera with Newest Flame.”

  The photograph was one of the two of us mid-fall out the window and onto the fire escape, laughing breathlessly as we tried and failed to keep our balance. We were both flushed and tipsy, wearing those stupid costumes. Worst of all, it was real, worse than anything anyone could have imagined or photoshopped.

  James glanced briefly at the table, his eyes tightening as they swept over the iPad screen paper before he turned them back to David. “We can fix this,” he said, surprisingly calm. “It doesn’t have to be—”

  “Fix it? Robert’s only had three girlfriends in his entire life!” David interrupted. “Three!”

  James rolled his eyes. “I know,” he said, throwing up a hand and looking baffled as hell. “I have no idea what’s wrong with him. The man obviously needs help, but his sorry love life is hardly the point here, David. We need to—”

  “You, on the other hand have had, at last count, around 712!”

  There was a slight pause, before James leaned back. “Oh,” he said with a little frown on his face. “I think I see where you’re going with this.”

  “Um,” I said, “Robert screws women constantly. I’ve witnessed it firsthand. Um, no, not me. But I see his affairs. Kind of accidentally saw him banging a blonde on top of his desk. So let’s not turn him into a saint. He’s only had three girlfriends because he can’t commit.”

  “Just like his brother.”

  I bit my lip.

  David sighed. “The thing is...Robert is much better at hiding his love affairs while James are public and on the front page of every newspaper.”

  “I don’t know why the press loves me so much,” James said.

  “Because you hang out with Nicholas Hunter, who by the way, is just as crazy as you. And then when that Charlie hung out with you guys...the press ate it up. They can’t get enough of you. And either can the people. So they concentrated on you because you were the fun one, and Robert was the boring one.” David removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes, then slumped over on the table. “James, I want what you want for your dad’s company. I’m pulling for you here. But this? Even I can’t put a good spin on this shit-storm.”

  A stab of guilt hit me right in the gut.

  James, on the other hand, still valiantly tried to rally, “It’s one photograph, David.”

  “One is enough,” David said, tossing his glasses onto the paper. “The trouble is, you know that’s not true. Those damn reporters and their photos are like cockroaches. If you see one, there are dozens more behind it. You’ve been getting into trouble since you were nine years old. I suppose none of that mattered in the slightest when Ben was alive, but if you really want to be CEO, you can’t carry on like this. You just can’t.”

  “I can do whatever the hell I want, Camper!” James yelled fiercely, waving a hand at the paper as if it had personally offended him. “We were trying to have sex, David. It’s not a crime, and we’re both consenting adults. I won’t stop living my life just so I can take over this damn company—”

  “And what about Della?” David asked, jabbing a finger at my unflattering portrait in newsprint. “Are you willing to drag her through the mud with you? She has a promising career ahead of her, James, but that will never last if she’s seen falling out the top window of the opera houses with future CEOs halfway up her dress!”

  “You mean genie pants.”

  “You know what I mean!”

  It was on that depressing note that we ended things. David left to give James time to think things over and to stop himself from wringing his neck, and I headed silently up to bed, very, very alone. With David coming over, it ruined our plans to get hot and heavy the second we stepped back inside.

  I was sure James would eventually join me, and for what felt like hours, I kept my ear trained for any sound of him, waiting for him to push open the door, but he never showed. Lying there in the darkness, it was very hard not to blame myself.

  What was his life like before he met me? I wondered, and only one answer came to mind: Perfect. He used to fly all over the world whenever he wanted, chasing his whims, without a single tether to hold him back, not a single real problem to cloud his clear, blue skies, nothing but endless horizons. His life was a dream, and now it’s a nightmare...all because of me.

  I remembered the night we first met, how unencumbered he was, how whimsical and light, just a wayward soul who freely drifted to wherever the breeze carried him. I remember thinking he was magical, a man dizzy with happiness, always ready for his next adventure.

  Then I pictured the man downstairs, the one who was shackled wit
h a sudden weight he didn’t really want and wasn’t prepared for. Now, James Cross was caught between a boardroom and a hard commitment, and neither had ever been in his plan. I couldn’t forget the way his eyes tightened when they took in that horrible headline, the almost imperceptible hardening of his mouth as his shoulders fell.

  A man like James wasn’t meant for such things, for girlfriends and the burdens of a throne. If he ever did decide he had room in his life for a steady mistress, he would have to choose only one, Cross Enterprises or me. Worst of all, I think we both already knew which he was going to choose.

  A rush of sadness welled inside me, but I found the strength to hold my tears at bay. Instead of sobbing and sniffling, I pulled on a bathrobe and tiptoed lightly down the stairs, then wandered the empty halls until I found him, still sitting at the kitchen table where I left him.

  The man in front of me completely proved my point. He was just staring blankly out the window, with a half-empty glass of scotch held loosely in his hand.

  “James?”

  He startled slightly when I called his name but didn’t look over. Instead, he raised the alcohol to his lips and took another deep drink. “I saw what it did to Nick and Abby,” he said with no preamble, “trying to balance the good of a company against the rest of their lives.” His lips thinned into a hard line, and he shook his head slightly to the side. “I don’t want to do that to you. I won’t.”

  My face paled, and my knees began to tremble with the finality of his tone. So that’s it then? He’s made his decision. This is the end for us. Congratulations, Cross. He’s all yours.

  I understood why it had to happen. I really did. Still, looking at the man in front of me, it was suddenly easy to see what I’d been deliberately avoiding, easy to consider what I’d been dancing around for weeks, the one thing that could change everything. I was in love with him, and I wasn’t going down without a fight. “That doesn’t make a lick of sense, James,” I said as I sat down across from him and tentatively reached for his hand. “Nick and Abby are the happiest couple I know.”